Japan at World Cup

Japan at World Cup

Eugene Hoshiko / Associated Press

Japanese soccer fans, including these in Tokyo, had little to celebrate in losing to Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener on Saturday. But Japanese can be cheered by their country's high marks for economic competitiveness.

Japanese soccer fans, including these in Tokyo, had little to celebrate in losing to Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener on Saturday. But Japanese can be cheered by their country's high marks for economic competitiveness. (Eugene Hoshiko / Associated Press)

Japanese soccer fans, including these in Tokyo, had little to celebrate in losing to Ivory Coast in their World Cup opener on Saturday. But Japanese can be cheered by their country's high marks for economic competitiveness.